 "World Champion D Gukesh and Women's World Rapid Champion Koneru Humpy at the felicitation event organised by All India Chess Association in New Delhi on Thursday, 16 January. Image credit: All India Chess Federation")
Indian Grandmaster Gukesh Dommaraju has been enjoying an extended break since being crowned the youngest world champion in chess history . Following his victory over Chinese GM Ding Liren in Singapore last month, the 18-year-old chess sensation has been meeting dignitaries such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Tamil film superstar Rajinikanth, and even filmed a hilarious advertisement with chess legend and mentor Viswanathan Anand .
Gukesh has also been honoured at various felicitation events during his month-long break, the latest of which was in New Delhi on Thursday where the All India Chess Federation (AICF) honoured him as well as well as Koneru Humpy, who was crowned champion in the women’s rapid event at the World Rapid and Blitz Championships in New York City recently.
Gukesh and Koneru received cash rewards of Rs 1 crore and Rs 50 lakh respectively from the governing body for chess in India.
Gukesh, who had earlier received a Rs 5 crore cash prize from Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin after becoming only the second Indian after Viswanathan Anand to be crowned world champion, looked forward to an “even better 2025” at the event.
“2024 was a big year for Chess. We received a lot of support from fans, media and the federation. We achieved several laurels and with the continuous support, we will see many players take up chess and grow it with more medals. I am sure 2025 will be even better,” said Gukesh, who returns to action at the Tata Steel Chess in Wijk aan Zee, Netherlands starting Friday.
Koneru, India’s No 1 female player who became only the second player to be crowned world rapid champion more than once, dedicated her title to her “motherland” and thanked the AICF for recognising the “talent and hard work” of the current generation of chess players.
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More Shorts“It is a proud moment for us, this medal belongs to our mother land. I feel blessed that AICF has recognised our talent and hardwork. Most of the time we look at cricket as a major sport. We have a lot of talent in our country and youngsters are keen to make a mark. We are moving forward to win more medals for the country,” the 37-year-old GM said.
AICF president Nitin Narang said it was a proud moment for them to see their “prodigies go on to conquer the world of chess”.
“It is an incredibly proud moment for us to watch our prodigies go on to conquer the world of chess. Gukesh’s grit, your perseverance, your patience and never letting it go is what is behind who you are today, the youngest ever world champion,” Narang said at the event on Thursday.